SAMANTHA KODAMA,
CLASS OF 2008

Sammy is a CWA lifer. She’s been here since she was five. So she knows the place pretty well.
        
“Basically, the person I am today has evolved with the help of CWA and everything I've taken from my school experience,” she explains. “I have become more independent and secure with myself, because CWA accepts everyone as individuals. I have high standards for myself because my peers and teachers have always pushed me to be the best I can be. And my never-ending desire to learn will serve me in the future because it keeps my life interesting and helps me continuously grow as a person.”
           
Sammy works hard to get the best education she can, but she also finds time to play soccer, basketball and run track. And over the years, she’s learned the value of balance.
           
“I know now that perfection isn't everything,” Sammy says. “I used to think that having an ‘A-plus’ was the only acceptable thing and I would work really hard to achieve that. My first ‘B’ was devastating, but I learned that life went on because I still got an ‘A’ in the class. Luckily, I didn't learn this lesson too late because now I am enjoying my life leisurely, but also work hard to try and get the best grades possible! If you come here, you will love the teachers and the help they extend to you.”
           
As you can tell, Sammy is a serious fan of CWA. In fact, here is the most negative thing she can find to say about the students at the school: “The worst thing about the people at CWA? Well, they are very school-spirited and pretty much happy all around, so if you aren't happy in a positive environment then I don't think you'd fit in. Luckily, most people love school spirit and cheerful attitudes, so I don't think it's a problem!”
           
She also confesses that she didn’t really enjoy her honors physics class — but that’s another story.
           
Sammy plans to be a doctor and raise a family. But with the self-reliance she’s learned at CWA, she understands that plans can change as she moves forward to college and beyond.
           
“The thing that is most important to me,’ she says, “is that I am happy. I have a basic plan for my life now, but I don’t know if it will go that direction, and if it doesn't I won't be crushed. I'll just follow whatever path makes me happiest and hopefully everything else will fall into place. Whatever I choose to do, I want it to be something that helps people and offers me a job I enjoy doing every day.”